Plasticsurgeryplanner 130916103946-phpapp02

TIPS TO MANAGE A SPEEDY RECOVERY

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P L A S T I C S U R G E R Y P L A N N E R • T I P S T O M A N A G E A S P E E D Y R E C O V E R Y
4 Honor Thy Recovery
5 Time Off For Popular Procedures
6 The Right Mindset
7 Your Support Team
8 Prepare Yourself Physically
9 Medications to Avoid Now!
15 Details, Details, Details
16 Surgery Shopping List
20 Preparing Your Nest
22 Pre-Surgery Primping
23 The Day Before
24 Day of Surgery: Do’s and Don’ts
25 Recommendations Following Surgery
27 Warning Signs
28 Showering After Surgery
29 The Emotional Roller Coaster
31 5 Reasons to Call our Office
33 Drains: A Necessary Evil
34 Swelling
35 Sex After Plastic Surgery: Glad You Asked
37 Scars Happen
38 CosmetAssure for Complications
39 Last But Not Least
This publication provides general educational information about preparing for and recovering from plastic surgery. It is not intended to give specific medical advice to any patient. David B. Reath, MD PLLC is not
responsible, and expressly disclaims,all liability for damages of any kind arising out of your use, reference to, or reliance on, the contents of this publication. If you need medical assistance please seek the help of
your doctor. ©2013 David B. Reath, MD, PLLC

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If you’re like most patients scheduling plastic surgery procedures, you
probably have a lot of questions. More than likely you’ve talked to some
friends who have had procedures and have done some research online.
We know that the preparation, planning and recovery from plastic sur-
gery can get pretty overwhelming. So we thought you would appreci-
ate some advice and strategies from some people in the know....us.
In the next several pages, we are going to drill down into the nitty
gritty of how to prepare for your plastic surgery, and what to do to
recover well and quickly. These are best practices that we have learned
throughout the years, mainly by listening to our patients, but also in
some cases by having the procedures done ourselves.
What you’re reading now was actually inspired by one of our super-
organized Mommy Makeover patients. She very kindly wrote us a
detailed diary of the knowledge she gained during the process about
what made her recovery easier. So we are dedicating The Plastic
Surgery Planner to her and to our other patients who share what they
learn so that all patients may benefit. We can’t thank you enough.
Theresa
Patient Care Coordinator
Mandi
Medical Assistant
Jill
Nurse Injector
Heather
Licensed Aesthetician
Natasha
Patient Care Assistant

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“Recovery is about time. And time is our most precious commodity.
None of us can add another hour to our days (even if we work
nights), another day to our months or another year to our lives.
So we are naturally careful and jealous of our time.
The time of recovery from surgery—time away from work and
normal activities—is a major concern. Frequently finding the time
to recover is THE major stumbling block when it comes to
scheduling an operation.
It’s understandable. We all lead busy lives, so it’s very hard to get
enough time off from work to recover fully. And because time is at
such a premium, many of us try to trim down, or cut short the time
that we need to recover. Trying to get back into the swing of things
before you are ready can sometimes cause your recovery to take
longer.”— Dr. Reath If there were ten commandments about plastic surgery, one of
them would be“Honor Thy Recovery.”Those who do will find
the whole process easier, and the ultimate outcome better.

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Breast Augmentation – 1 week
Breast Lift – 1 week
Breast Reduction – 2 weeks
Brachioplasty (Arm Lift) – 1 week
Liposuction – 1 week
Gynecomastia (Male Chest Reduction) – 1 week
Tummy Tuck – 4 weeks
Mommy Makeover – 4 weeks
Body Lift – 4 weeks
Brow Lift – 1-2 weeks
Facelift – 2 weeks
Eyelid Surgery – 2 weeks

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You are getting ready to have plastic surgery!
Most of our patients have been dreaming of this day for quite some
time. It is normal to be excited and at the same time very nervous
and apprehensive. After all, big changes are coming your way.
Your positive mental attitude will go a long way in ensuring that you
recover well and have the outcome you’ve always wanted. We do
have some suggestions that work well to manage those nerves so
you can show up the day of your surgery relaxed and ready to go.
One of the biggest causes of anxiety is the fear of the unknown. Ex-
pect that as your surgery date gets closer, you’re going to have more
questions that come up. Write them down as you think of them so
you don’t forget to ask when you come in. This goes for your pre-op
appointment, the day of your surgery or any of your follow-up visits.
Remember that we are here for you, no question is stupid and we are
just a phone call away.
The Internet Is And Is Not Your Friend. Once you’ve made your de-
cision to have plastic surgery and are comfortable with your choice
of physician, whether it is Dr. Reath or another Board-certified plastic
surgeon, don’t go second-guessing yourself. If you have a concern,
ask your doctor, not Google. Now is not the time to torture yourself
by searching online for bad plastic surgery outcomes.
Prepare Yourself For The Haters. As much as you can, surround
yourself with positive people, but know that you may run into folks
who will question your decision to have surgery. Some are kind and
will tell you that you look great as you are. Others may be opinion-
ated, vocal and even jealous. Just expect that this could happen at
some point either before or after your surgery and don’t get blind-
sided. It helps to recognize that this is your decision not theirs.
That said, if you find yourself feeling debilitated by fear at the
thought of your surgery, you may want to do some more thinking.

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NO TAXIS!
We have had patients who want to have
someone drop them off for their surgery
and then call a cab to bring them home.
This is a big no-no. Don’t even think about
it. Besides all of the patient safety reasons
why this is a very, very bad idea, the surgery
center won’t release you to a taxi driver.
If you really don’t have someone who can
drive you and stay with you at home after
your surgery, we can hook you up with a
reliable home health care service that is
very reasonably priced. Just ask.
Most of our patients are very independent
and let’s face it- they’re used to being the
ones who provide support for others. So
when you are planning on having elective
plastic surgery, it can be uncomfortable
asking others for help. But this is one thing
that you cannot do alone.
The amount of help you’ll need really
depends on your situation. Many patients
take care of others as a normal part of
their routine. If you have young children
or elderly parents at home you’ll need
double- duty support....for you and for
them. This is the perfect time for the kids
to visit grandma, just make sure that you
have someone else at home appointed to
take care of you.
At the bare minimum, and we mean the
very barest minimum, you’ll need someone
to drive you to and from your surgery, stay
with you for 48 hours after your procedure
and drive you to your first post-operative
appointment. For more extensive pro-
cedures like tummy tucks, body lifts and
mommy makeovers, you’ll need someone
to stay with you for at least the first week.
Ask A Positive Person To Be
Your Caregiver
You know who they are: the people in
your life who always lift your spirits. You
want someone who’s really going to put
your needs first and who won’t say to
you when you first get home,“Why in the
world did you do this to yourself?”Get
someone supportive and caring because
you’re really going to need that.

So if you get the best results from your surgery the closer you
are to your ideal body weight, now must be the time to go
on a super low-calorie diet right? WRONG! We hear this all the
time from patients planning their surgery. Contrary to popular
belief, crash-dieting before your surgery is completely
counter-productive.
Your body needs protein, iron, nutrients and yes, even fat,
to recover properly. So eat a healthy, balanced diet, skip the
booze and don’t go crazy cutting calories.
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Now is not the time to start a new aggressive workout routine. You want to main-
tain your level of fitness while avoiding injuries, so don’t over-do-it. Instead, think
about light cardio, low-weight strength training and particularly stretching. Barre
workouts, yoga and Pilates classes are great choices because they concentrate on
your overall well-being and posture.
Focus on strengthening and stretching your core muscles (back and abs). This is
particularly important for tummy tuck and body lift patients. After your surgery
you won’t be walking upright for a while, and having strong core stability will
help prevent back pain.

Ok, this is one time when your dog or cat may not be your best
friend. Pets like to jump up to greet you and sleep in your bed. Plus,
they are easy to trip over. And they need to be let out, fed, watered
and taken for a walk.
So, if you have pets, be sure to take them into consideration when
you are preparing for your surgery. You won’t feel like getting out of
bed anymore than you have to for the first couple of days.
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This may seem obvious if you are planning to have plastic surgery,
but go with us on this one. If you are a female who could conceivably
get pregnant (good one), you always take a pregnancy test at the
surgery center before your procedure.
At least two of these a year come back positive- resulting in the shock
of their lives for our patient (I’m whaaaaat?!) Cross our hearts: it hap-
pens. So bye-bye surgery. At least for the next nine months.
BOTTOM LINE: If you are sexually active, be sure you use
effective birth control. This goes for after your tummy tuck and
mommy makeover procedures too. Having another child after an
abdominoplasty undoes all the good work we’ve done together.

If you are still unconvinced or know someone who is having plastic
surgery and just won’t give up their ciggies, here are two blogs you
need to read.
Why Smoking Makes Plastic Surgery Recovery Difficult
by Dr. Reath
Smoking Can Make Your Nipples Fall Off
by Dr. Anthony Youn
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It’s no secret that smoking is bad for you. Most people are aware
that it can hinder your recovery after any surgery, but not many
people understand that this is a much bigger issue when you’re having
plastic surgery. This is because plastic surgical operations, live on the
edge of your blood supply.
When doing these operations, plastic surgeons are really operating at
the limit of what the circulation to the skin and other tissues will allow;
living on the edge so to speak. But, in order to have adequate
circulation, they not only need to leave enough blood vessels intact,
they must also make sure that the blood which flows through these
blood vessels is sufficient. Certain things can affect this blood flow and
the biggest and baddest of these is cigarette smoke. Although the
nicotine in the cigarette smoke is the most dangerous element, the
carbon monoxide and the hydrogen cyanide don’t help much either.
SERIOUSLY, WE DON’T WANT YOU TO HAVE ANY
PROBLEMS HEALING AFTER YOUR SURGERY.
WE CAN’T EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH.
YOU ARE NOW A NON-SMOKER.

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• Aspirin, Advil or
Motrin
• Any diet pills or herb
blends designed to
control appetite
• Vitamin E
• Chromium
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginkgo
• Goldenseal
• Flaxseed
• Fish oil
• Echinacea
• Licorice
• Saw Palmetto
• Ephedra
• Ginseng
• Feverfew
• Kava-Kava
• St. John’s Wort
• Valerian Root
Aspirin, diet pills and common vitamin supplements can cause bleeding after surgery,
increase swelling, raise blood pressure or alter your sugar levels. Two weeks before your
surgery, you should quit taking aspirin, all herbal supplements and everything listed
below until at least two weeks after your surgery.
DON’T TAKE:
If you take the diet pill Phentermine, you MUST stop it at least 4 weeks prior
to your surgery date.

VITAMEDICA CLINICAL SUPPORT FOR SURGERY: These multi-vitamins are
specifically designed for patients pre- and post-surgery, so they contain all of what you
need and none of what you don’t. Start two-three weeks prior to surgery and continue
taking them two weeks after. Take the AM tablets with breakfast and the PM tablets with
dinner or before bed.
VITAMEDICA PROBIOTIC-8: We have
found that taking pharmaceutical-grade
probiotics before and after plastic surgery helps
alleviate digestive side effects both from taking
antibiotics (diarrhea and yeast infections) and
pain medication (constipation). Start at
two-three weeks prior to surgery once a day
on an empty stomach, and increase to twice a
day following your surgery.
All Vitamedica supplements are available in our
online store by clicking the links below.
Clinical Support Vitamins $44
Probiotic-8 $40
Bromelain with Quercetin $38
VITAMEDICA BROMELAIN WITH
QUERCETIN: The combination of Bromelain,
made from pineapple enzymes and quercetin
reduces swelling and inflammation after surgery.
Most patients, unless they are allergic to pine-
apple, latex, have heart arrhythmia or take blood
thinners, will start their Bromelain supplements
3 days before surgery. If you are not a patient of
our practice, don’t take Bromelain without dis-
cussing it with your own doctor. Bromelain with
Quercetin is included in your complimentary
recovery kit.
A note on Niferex: Patients who are having
extensive body or multi-procedures may require
extra iron prior to their surgery. If this is the case,
Dr. Reath may prescribe Niferex, which is a fast-
absorbing prescription iron supplement. This is
something to get filled at your drug store and
start taking right away.
Only rely on the advice of your own doctor
who is familiar with your medical history and
care. Always call your doctor’s office with
specific medical questions.
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Take Probiotics 2 hours before or
2 hours after taking antibiotics

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LAB TESTS
When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Reath may order lab tests
to be done prior to your surgery. If we do the test here in the office,
we’ll have the results the next day and review them. So no worries
there. However, if you have a test done at a radiology center or some
other office, you’ll want to follow up with us to make sure that we have
received the results before your pre-op appointment. That’s important.
MEDICAL RECORDS
The same things goes for medical records from other doctors. If Dr.
Reath needs to see records from your other doctors, we’ll have you fill
out the records release form and we’ll fax it while you’re here in the
office. Please touch base with us and the doctor’s office sending us the
records to help make sure we have your health information on hand,
again, prior to your pre-op appointment.
PRESCRIPTIONS
You’ll get your prescriptions at your pre-op appointment. We give
them to you then so you have plenty of time to get them filled and
you’re not having to drive through your pharmacy on the way home
from the surgery center. Not fun.
Now is a good time to get them filled and study up a bit. Read the
instructions and become familiar with what you have and call us
before your surgery with any questions or concerns.
Be sure to come up with a system of how you are going to keep
track of what medications you’ve taken and when because it’s easy
to lose track when you’re groggy.
You should know: There is a difference between taking prescrip-
tions“as directed”and“as needed.”“As directed”medications are the
ones you take for a set period of time until they are all gone, for ex-
ample, your antibiotics.“As needed”medications are taken to treat a
symptom, for example, your pain pills and nausea medication. If you
don’t need them, great! If you do need them, don’t take them more
frequently than what is instructed on the bottle.

WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF
SUPPLIES YOU’LL WANT TO HAVE ON
HAND TO MAKE YOUR RECOVERY AS
COMFORTABLE AS POSSIBLE. IT IS
BROKEN DOWN INTO THE “MUST-
HAVES” AND “NICE-TO-HAVES”.
ALL OF THE “NICE-TO-HAVES” ARE
SUGGESTIONS FROM OUR PREVIOUS
PATIENTS ABOUT WHAT WORKED
WELL FOR THEM.
DIAL ANTIBACTERIAL FOAMY SOAP:You’ll use this in the shower the morning
of your surgery, but you’ll understand why we recommend this unscented foamy soap
after your procedure. You can be very gentle with it and still get everything clean.
BACITRACIN OR POLYSPORIN ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT AND Q-TIPS:
We give you some samples in your recovery kit to get you started, but you will probably
want your own tube rather than fooling with the packets. It is widely available, dirt cheap
and generic is fine. Dr. Reath does not recommend Neosporin because it gets quite
irritating to the skin after a couple of days use. You can find this in the first aid section
of your pharmacy.
MILK OF MAGNESIA: Pain medication can be quite constipating so it’s good to have
some of this in your medicine cabinet. The probiotics do help with this, but if you need it,
you’ll be glad its there.
THERAPEARL ICE PACKS:
One of our patients told us about these and boy was she right! They are soft, reusable and
easy to mold onto your body. And they don’t cost an arm and a leg. You can even put them
in the microwave and use them instead of a heating pad. Now we carry them in our store
for your convenience. If you are having eyelid surgery, you’ll get a TheraPearl eye mask in
your surgery kit.
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THERAPEARL OVALS:
INJECTABLES
$8
WHY THERAPEARLS ARE BETTER THAN FROZEN PEAS!
Frozen peas are so old school. Using them sounds like a better idea than it is
because they bind together when you refreeze them and they smell when
they defrost (Pea-U!). Save them for dinner and use these ice packs instead.
Click on the product names for handy links to our online store.
THERAPEARL ICE PACK
WITH STRAP:
BREASTS, ABDOMEN AND BODY LIFTS
$20
THERAPEARL
ICE PACK:
FACIAL
$10
THERAPEARL EYE MASK:
FACIAL, EYELID SURGERY AND IF YOU’RE
JUST PLAIN STRESSED-OUT!
$13

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COLGATE WISPS: Brush your teeth
and freshen your mouth without water.
RAZORS WITH BUILT-IN
SHAVE BARS: When you are shaving
after your surgery, you’ll want it to be as
easy as possible. Our two favorites are
Venus Breeze or Schick Intuition.
EXTRA CLOTHING: (Body Patients)
You are going to be wearing a binder after
surgery and you’ll need a good supply of
camisoles (gals) or undershirts (guys) to
wear under your binder. You find that’s
much more comfortable. For male chest
reduction patients, you’ll need extra com-
pression shirts and they should fit snugly.
We provide you with one made by Adidas,
but Under Armour works well and may be
easier to find.
DRESSINGS: You’ll need dressings
for your incisions. You don’t want to use
regular gauze because that sticks. Guess
what is inexpensive and works great? Maxi
pads for tummy tuck and body lift patients
and panty liners for breast and liposuction
patients. Guys, you might want to pay a bit
extra for non-adhering dressings. Just sayin.
FLEX STRAWS: These little guys
make drinking in bed so much easier.
TRACTION SOCKS: If you like to wear
socks around the house, score a pair of
these cool socks with no-slip bottoms.
ATOPALM SKIN WIPES: Moisturizing
skin cleansers for when you don’t feel like
getting out of bed to wash your face and
do your regular skin care routine. Available
in our online store by clicking here. $13

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SINGLE-SERVE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS AND MEALS: You’ll get hungry and
won’t feel like cooking. Think soup, jello, Power bars, fruit, nuts, real fruit popsicles, etc. Single
servings of carrot dippers, apple dippers or hummus also work great. If you are super-indus-
trious, consider cooking ahead and freezing some individual portions of your favorite meals
that you can defrost and eat after your surgery.
ABOUT SHOWER CHAIRS. You are
going to need help taking a shower--anoth-
er reason to choose your caregiver wisely;).
If you have a seat built into your shower,
you’re in business. If not, shower chairs are
available on Amazon starting at $40 and
may be a good investment if you are hav-
ing a tummy tuck or a body lift. Another
route you can go is to use a plastic outdoor
chair or even a folding chair covered a large
garbage bag to prevent it from getting wet.
Not super-glamourous, but it works.
Definitely don’t plan
on working in bed
for the first couple of
days. Seriously.
When you’re taking
pain medication, you
may not remember
very much later.
RECOVERY ENTERTAINMENT:
This is the time to stock up on books, magazines,
DVD’s, apps, audiobooks and Netflix downloads
you enjoy. Pick things that are light and fun and
cheer you up. It’s a perfect excuse to binge-
watch episodes of nostalgic TV shows! Be
careful with your favorite laugh-out-loud com-
edies because laughing after a tummy tuck hurts
for a while.
Keep in mind that you’ll probably be falling
asleep in the middle of whatever you’re watching
or reading, so don’t plan on digesting anything
complicated and heavy, like War and Peace or
The Usual Suspects (we’re still trying to figure that
movie out!).

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There are many little things you can do now to make your home
more recovery-friendly. It’s kind of like child-proofing your house only
you get to reap the benefits! All of these suggestions are from our
previous patients, so hopefully you’ll find some good ideas for your
“nest”. You may not need all of these ideas immediately after surgery,
but when you are on your own after your caregiver leaves, you’ll be
glad to have them. Lots of these are more for body and breast pa-
tients, but might make recovering from facial surgery a slam dunk.
Thank you to our special patients who gave us these ideas to share.
You know who you are :)
• Move a table next to your bed (or recliner) and put all the things
you think you may need on it: remote control, iPad, cell phone,
chargers, magazines, books, drinks, flex straws, light snacks, chapstick,
Atopalm wipes, Colgate wisps, pony-tail holders or a head scarf and
a notepad and pen to write down questions as they come up. You
should also keep this guide and your pre-op booklet handy.
• Be sure you’ve picked up all of your prescription medications
and keep them together, along with your surgical vitamins and probi-
otics, on your bedside table.
• If you have drains, put the little measuring cups we gave
you in your surgical kit next to your bathroom sink.
• Make sure all of your important phone numbers are
programmed into your phone. Especially our number,
(865) 450-9253, your caregiver’s and the phone numbers of
people who cheer you up.
• Have lots of pillows and throw blankets near your bed.
If you have a rocking chair, bring it close to where you’ll be
hanging out.

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• If you normally carry a heavy purse, go through it and be
brutal. Remove everything that you don’t really need (most of it
we don’t really need all the time, right?). You may even go crazy and
switch to a small bag, just this once. This happens every time-- when
you start getting back into your normal routine, you’ll tend to want to
do too much, and carrying a heavy purse all over the place just tires
you out more.
• Put the recovery clothes that you’re going to want to have easy
access to in the front part of your closet and your top dresser drawers
so you won’t have to bend over to get anything. Loose elastic pants
and even yoga pants are comfy after surgery. You’ll be wanting loose
button up shirts and PJ tops so you don’t have to pull things over
your head. Don’t wear anything super-nice because the bacitracin
ointment tends to get on your clothes and you are more likely to spill
drinks on yourself while taking pain medication. Just sayin.
• Have some cash handy so your caregiver can run out and pick up
things at the store as needed. You might want to make sure your car
has a full tank of gas so your caregiver doesn’t have to mess with that
while running errands for you.
• Organize all the items in the fridge you think you’ll need on the top
shelf or the shelf that you can access most easily. The same goes for the
freezer section because you don’t want to fight to lift things. If you use
milk, buy half gallons, rather than full gallons. Same goes for other drinks
you like; get the smaller size for now.
• Put paper plates, cups and bowls on your counter along with
plastic silverware. It’s light and it won’t be a big deal if you drop it. Also
you won’t have to wash anything. Nice, huh? Consider even leaving the
pots you use out on the burners; so much easier than bending over to get
them.
• Same thing with your bathroom. Put everything you’ll be using
on the bathroom counter: deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste etc. Also
make sure you’re stocked with toilet paper and tampons if you think you’ll
need them.
• A little“pampering”. Some patients mentioned they used Charmin
wipes because you can’t reach as well to wipe, and kept a spare pair of
underwear and a spare tube of bacitracin ointment within reach of the
toilet. Something to consider because especially for body patients, remov-
ing compression garments and going to the bathroom can be a bit of a
project at first.

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(This section is mainly for women, so
guys you can go on to the next page.)
Ladies, let’s face it, when you are recov-
ering from surgery, any surgery, your
beauty routines are going to suffer. So
it pays to be smart and get some things
done right before your surgery date if
you know they would otherwise bug
you while you’re healing.
• Go ahead and color or highlight
your hair, and get a good haircut.
It will be awhile before you can color
your hair, particularly if you’re having
a facelift (3-4 weeks) and even longer
after a browlift.
• Give yourself a pedicure. You might not
want to be staring at raggedy toenails on your
bed for a week. If you want a manicure, pick
out a pretty pale nail polish color so that the
light will reflect through the pulse oximeter
during your surgery.
• Shave or wax now because it’s hard
to do when you are uncomfortable.
If you are having breast surgery, go ahead and
schedule an under-arm wax with our aestheti-
cian Heather McNeal. You will so thank us later.

TIME TO PACK YOUR BAG!
Most of you will not be staying overnight in the hospital, but there are
somethings you will need to bring with you to the surgery center.
These include:
• Your driver’s license and insurance card (if you have one)
• Eye glasses and an eyeglass case because you won’t be
wearing contacts
Have these in the car for the ride home:
• Crackers to eat if you have some nausea
• Pillow and throw blanket to make you more comfortable. Hugging
the pillow against your stomach will make you feel more secure if
you’ve had a tummy tuck or body lift.
RELAX, GO TO BED EARLY AND TRY
NOT TO STRESS. OH. AND PLEASE
DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR
ALARM CLOCK;)
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• Eat healthy and drink lots of fluids today, and by lots of fluids,
we don’t mean alcoholic beverages.
• You’ll be getting a pre-anesthesia call from the surgery center
today if you haven’t heard from them already.
• Remove dark-colored nail polish on your fingernails. Light col-
ored nail polish with no decals or designs is fine. Shellac and artificial
nails are fine as long as the polish is light. The pulse oximeter needs to
be able to shine through it. Your toes are fine.
• Confirm your arrival time and your route to and from the
surgery center with your caregiver who is driving you. Remem-
ber, we don’t perform surgery in our office so you’ll be going to the
Physicians Surgery Center on Fort Sanders Campus or if you’re having
a larger procedure with an overnight stay- Tennova West Hospital in
Turkey Creek.
• Take off all of your jewelry and remove all piercings now so
you don’t forget in the morning. And we mean ALL piercings
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight tonight! Anything
more than a small amount of water to brush your teeth or take your
medication is a big no-no and could be unsafe during your surgery.
This includes candy, gum and mints. There is no wiggle-room here.
We don’t want to have to cancel your surgery, so please don’t do it.

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You haven’t eaten or drank anything since
midnight last night. Check.
You showered and washed your body with
antimicrobial soap either last night or this
morning. Check.
You haven’t put on any makeup, perfume,
hair spray or panty hose. Check.
You know where you’re going and you have
someone to drive you, pick you up and stay with
you for at least 24 hours after surgery. Check.
You’re giving yourself plenty of time to get
to the surgery center on time. Check
You’re wearing loose fitting clothing with a loose
shirt that buttons up the front and tennis shoes
or some other shoes easy to walk in. No Jimmy
Choo’s. Check.
You’re not wearing any contact lenses, jewelry
or have dark fingernail polish or any piercings
anywhere on your body. Check.
You have your ID, insurance card, eye glasses
and glasses case on you and the crackers,
pillow and throw blankets are in the car. Check.
You’re taking a car that’s easy to get in and out
of and you’re not riding home with someone
who drives like Ricky Bobby from Talledega
Nights, right?
OK. IT’S TIME TO HEAD TO THE
SURGERY CENTER.

25
REST, but don’t just stay in bed. Even though you won’t feel like it
it’s important that you are ambulatory, meaning walking under your
own strength, with your caregiver next to you if you need help or feel
woozy. Get up at least every 2-3 hours, walk around a bit and use the
restroom.
ELEVATE YOUR HEAD AND CHEST. That’s 2-3 pillows be-
hind your back. If you’ve had a tummy tuck or a body lift, you’ll also
want to prop up your knees with pillows or settle into a recliner.
START YOUR MEDICATIONS. Take them according to your
pre-op instructions. Remember not to take your muscle-relaxant Soma
(Carisprodol) for the first twenty four hours. You were given Soma only
if you had an abdominoplasty with muscle repair or a breast augmenta-
tion with the implants placed underneath the muscle. If you are having
trouble urinating after surgery, DO NOT TAKE THE SOMA and call us at
the office.
DEEP BREATHE, COUGH AND STRETCH. Your lungs need to
wake up after anesthesia to prevent you from accumulating fluid. So at
least once an hour, take five deep cleansing breaths. Then put a pillow
on your tummy and hold it close to you. Cough three times. If you’ve
had a breast augmentation, do the stretches we taught you on the way
to the bathroom, every 2-3 hours.
Only rely on the advice of your own doctor who is familiar with your medical history and care.
Always call your doctor’s office with specific medical questions.

26
DRINK. DRINK. DRINK. Fluids are critical after surgery. Drink at
least 8 ounces every two hours of non-carbonated, non-caffeinated
and non-alcoholic beverages like water and Gatorade. You should
have to pee every couple of hours. If you don’t, you’re not drinking
enough.
START YOUR THERAPEARL ICE PACKS. Place your ice
packs now. You’ll want to have them twenty minutes on and twenty
minutes off while you’re awake, so have your caregiver put them back
in the freezer after they defrost.
EAT SOMETHING LIGHT.You’ll want to ease back into eating.
Start with“comfort”foods like jello, soup, crackers and toast until you
feel up to more substantial meals. It may take you a couple of days.
AVOID SALT. Eating salty foods increases swelling during your
recovery. Try to stay away from it.
DON’T TAKE YOUR POST-SURGERY GARMENTS OFF.
You’ll be wearing your surgical bra or compression garment around
the clock except while bathing. If you don’t like the surgical bra we
give you, you may wear any bra without an underwire.
DON’T SMOKE. If ever there was a time not to smoke, this is it.
Smoking will greatly impair your ability to heal after surgery. Don’t do it.
And no second-hand smoke either.
RELAX.
REMEMBER, YOU JUST
HAD SURGERY!
Don’t do anything stressful.
Just let your caregiver take care of you.
Don’t lift anything heavier than a paperback book.

27
CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE:
• Chest pain.
• Trouble Breathing.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Any other medical emergency.
CALL OUR OFFICE IMMEDIATELY
AT 865-450-9253 IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING:
• A high fever, (over 101), severe nausea and vomiting,
continued dizziness or incoherent behavior such as
hallucinations.
• Any pain that cannot be controlled by your pain medication.
• Bright red skin that is hot to the touch.
• Excessive bleeding or fluid seeping through the incisions.
• One breast that is much larger than the other or bruising
that is localized to one breast or region of the chest.
• Inability to urinate.
• A suspected reaction to one of your medications.
Only rely on the advice of your own doctor who is familiar with your medical history and care. Always call your doctor’s office with specific medical questions.
IF IT IS AFTER HOURS, GO AHEAD AND CALL
TO SPEAK WITH THE PHYSICIAN ON-CALL
FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

28
This is the area that patients and their caregivers have the most questions about, but
it’s actually pretty straightforward. You can bathe or shower the day after your surgery
if you feel up to it. (Facelift patients, you will wait until after your post-op appointment
the day after surgery when your drains come out.)
You’ll need some help from your caregiver in case you get dizzy in the shower. This is
also when a shower chair comes in handy. If you don’t have a seat in your shower or a
shower chair, you can use a plastic outdoor chair or a folding chair covered by a gar-
bage bag.
Go ahead and take everything off down to the skin and sutures. This includes all the
dressings covering your incisions, but not your drains if you have them, because they
are sewn in. Go slow and sit down if you start getting woozy.
Shower, using your antimicrobial foamy soap gently on your incision sites and around
your stitches. You may wash your hair.
After you get out of the shower, gently dry off. Apply antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin)
to your incision sites and cover them with the non-adhering dressings, panty liners or
maxi pads depending on your procedure. Use a bit of tape to hold in place if you want.
Then put your surgical bra or camisole on, then the binder or compression garment
and the rest of your loose-fitting comfy clothes. Done!
Repeat tomorrow:)

Ready or not, your emotions may feel out of control while you are
recovering from surgery. Over this hill might be a gentle kiddy ride
or a full-fledged Dollywood“Wild Eagle”coaster. It’s just easier on you
and your caregiver if you expect things to be a little rocky. That way,
if you steel yourself for the loop de loop and just have a few speed
bumps, you’re in for a nice surprise.
Surgery affects each person’s emotions differently. The most
common reaction is to be excited but uncomfortable for the first few
days. Then out of nowhere you’re down in the dumps because you’re
not feeling the way you want. It usually happens around day 3 to day
5 after your surgery. It’s when you might start asking yourself if you
made the right decision or feeling stupid for doing this to yourself.
Even if you are normally on a very even emotional keel, you could
find yourself crying for no reason. This is so normal.
Procedures with longer recovery times like tummy tucks and body
lifts tend to have more emotionally rocky recovery times. You may
even wear out your caregiver. Things do get better and soon you’ll
see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don’t ask yourself if you’ve
made the right decision for at least 4 weeks.
29

30
CONSULT SURGERY NEAR FUTURE
Excited!
WOW! That was easier
than I thought!
Nervous & Anxious
Zonked-Out
Tired
Hurting
Getting better!
Beginning to see the light
at the end of the tunnel.
Down in the Dumps :(
Frustrated at not healing fast enough.
“Did I do the right thing?”
Guilt for putting yourself through this.
“I just want to feel normal again.”
YAY, I LOOK GREAT
That wasn’t so bad.
What’s next?!

31
TO CALL OR
NOT TO CALL?
DEFINITELY CALL.
We want to go on record by saying:
Even though the surgery process is old hat to us, it is new to you.
We would much rather you call with questions than lose sleep
over the details.
1. You can’t remember exactly what was said during your
pre-op visit. No worries…this happens, after all, you have a lot on your
mind and a lot of information to absorb. If you can’t quite remember how
to take your medicine or when you can get back to a certain activity, just
give us a call.
2. You are not sure if you can go back to (or start) a certain
activity. For the first few weeks following a procedure you will most likely
be restricted in areas such as exercise and other medications. If you have a
hankering to start back with an activity but worry that it might be too early,
just give us a call. P.S. This also works well if you are trying to get out of a cer-
tain activity like household chores. Just say“So sorry, I’m disappointed too,
but Dr. Reath says I can’t vacuum for at least 6 more weeks!”
(continued)

3. You have a spot/area/incision that looks a little different
than the rest. It is completely normal for some areas to heal a little
differently than others, however, if you are concerned, we don’t
want you to worry. Just give us a ring and let us know what is going
on. If we think it sounds suspicious, we may have you send us a
photo or come in so we can take a look. We are more than happy to
set your mind at ease.
4. You feel a lot worse than anticipated. This is most likely
temporary, and tomorrow will be a new day. However, if your
general experience is not lining up with the information we gave
you during your pre-op appointment, please give us a call. Often
we can figure out what is amiss over the phone, and since we take
care of all patients after surgery, we may have a few tricks up our
sleeve to help you get back on the healing path.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY: If you are running a fever,
vomiting, have an area that is hot to the touch, unusual
pain in the legs or chest or trouble breathing, or any other
alarming symptoms…These could be signs of something
serious. Call our office or go to the nearest emergency
room right away.
32
THE POINT IS…We like to touch base with our patients during their recovery; in fact, we will be calling you for the first few days just to
make sure you don’t have any unanswered questions or concerns. However, if you think of something you forgot to mention, we want you to
call because we are always happy to help. (And we promise not to make you feel silly…We hate it when people do that!)
865.450.9253

33
If you have a breast reduction, tummy tuck, body lift or facelift, you
will have drains placed underneath your skin. Facelift patients only
have drains for a day generally, but the rest of you may be dealing
with them for about a week. It’s important that you keep track of
how much fluid you empty from them over a 24-hour period
Instead of writing all about drains, we figured we would have Dr.
Reath and Mandi demonstrate the best way to manage them by
video. Please click on the video and watch with your caregiver
before your surgery so you’ll have an idea of what to expect.

One of the most common patient complaints, particularly with tummy tuck or body lift
procedures, is that they are“puffy”after their procedure. It’s a natural concern. After all,
you’ve waited so long to see this new flat tummy and you just know it’s there underneath
all that swelling.
As Dr. Reath says,“swelling has a mind of its
own”and the best treatment for swelling is
patience. OK. We know that’s not what you
want to hear, so here are another couple of
things that will help a little bit.
• Avoid salty foods which
increase swelling.
• Keep wearing your compression
garments 24/7.
• Engage in light physical activity
such as walking, as much as you can.
One thing that you should NOT do is to
take diuretics. Diuretics after surgery don’t
help the swelling, but they do cause
dehydration, which will further set you
back. So even if you think it’s a good
idea, it’s not.
34

35
From time to time during my post-
operative consultations, a patient or
their spouse will ask me when they can
resume normal sexual activity. Some-
times I am asked this before surgery.
And if there is any surprise in this, it
would be that I am not asked this more
often. However, I am always gratified
when a patient, or a couple will be hon-
est enough about their concerns to ask
what might be considered by some an
embarrassing question.
So, when can you resume normal
sexual activities after plastic surgery?
This is not a question you will find an
answer to in a text book.
But, the answer in many cases would be sooner than you think. It really depends upon a couple of
things: the surgery you have had, how much discomfort you are in, and when you as the patient
feel ready for this.

36
Few people will be ready for sexual activity the day after surgery.
And if there are drains involved, or special positioning after surgery
is indicated, this probably is not the right time for physical romance.
The time you will need to wait will be longer for more involved
operations. For instance, you may want to wait several weeks after a
tummy tuck, but probably not as long after breast enlargement.
In fact, women who have had breast enlargement may feel much
better about themselves in bed and want to get back into the
saddle sooner.
Pain can be a real turn off. If you’re hurting, or needing narcotic pain
medication, making love to your partner may not feel too good.
And, after all, you want to enjoy your sexual activity. So, wait until
you’re not hurting. In many cases you may need to be somewhat
inventive with positioning to enjoy sex. Having someone’s body
weight on an area that is healing may be uncomfortable. But, if
you can position yourselves to prevent this, all systems may be go.
Perhaps the most important consideration is when you, as the
patient, feel ready for sex. You are the only one who can determine
this. At times this may call for patience. At other times, you may find
physical closeness (even if it does not involve sex) is comforting and
something that really makes you feel better. On the other hand if
you are completely healed, and you are in doubt about how you
feel about yourself due to scars, or changes in your body, be honest
with your partner and work through this together. Understanding
and reassurances can go a long way here. And once you have taken
the plunge—so to speak, you may feel much better about some of
these concerns.
There is no right or wrong answer to the question of when to re-
sume sexual activity after plastic surgery. Many people are thrilled
with the appearance of their body and want to get back at it pronto.
Others take longer to feel ready. But common sense will often rule
the day: if it doesn’t feel good, don’t do it. The most important thing
to remember is that you can always ask your plastic surgeon. He or
she probably enjoys sex as much as you do, and will be very un-
derstanding of your concerns. Like I said, I welcome this question,
because it shows me how honest and healthy my patient is.

37
Any patient who wants plastic surgery weighs the benefits of the
result they want to achieve against the inevitability of having a new
scar. That’s because there is no such thing as scarless plastic surgery,
despite all the misinformation out there. Whenever a physician
makes an incision, there will be a scar.
The key is placing the scar where it will be less noticeable once
it’s healed, because there are areas of the body that do provide a
natural camouflage. For example, Dr. Reath will make his incisions as
tiny as possible: in the natural crease of the breast, behind the ears,
in the hairline or low on the belly where it will be covered by a bikini
bottom.
The best thing for scars is, you guessed it....time. They will continue
to heal and improve for at least a year.
Don’t waste your money buying expensive scar creams. In fact, the
only other thing besides time that really improves the appearance of
scars is pressure. If you’ve had a C-section, you can probably attest to
this. Don’t the areas where the elastic from your underwear cross the
scar look much better than the rest of the incision?
That’s the reason we include the silicone strips in your recovery kit
if you’ve had breast surgery, a tummy tuck or body lift. The silicone
strips put constant pressure on your incision site which really does
help improve the way your scar will look. Silicone strips are not
greasy and won’t stick to your clothes or stain anything. They are not
cheap, so go ahead and get good use out of them. Here’s how:
Start using the silicone strips 2-3 weeks after your surgery and not
before. The incision area needs to be healed with no scabs or open
areas left. Wear the strips as often as you can day and night.
Purchase these items in our store by clicking the links below.
• Breast Augmentation Silicone Strips (set of 4 ) $45
• Breast Lift Lollipop Shapes $60
• Tummy Tuck Strips $65
P.S. Don’t wear them while showering or sweating
to avoid skin irritation.

38
For Questions about
CosmetAssure claims,
please contact:
Gallagher Bassett, Inc.
Kansas City/CMC
P.O. Box 419797
Kansas City, MO 64141
Phone: 1.800.821.5401

39
So now you know to look for that logo.
If you can’t find it easily, the doctor probably
doesn’t have it.
P.S. Dr. Reath is Board-certified and serves as
Chairman of the Public Education Committee of
the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Has at least six years of surgical training,
with 3 years specifically in plastic surgery.
Is certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery.
Operates only in accredited
medical facilities.
Adheres to a strict code of ethics.
Fulfills continuing education requirements,
including patient-safety techniques.
This is all you have to remember,
four letters:
ASPS.

CONTACT US
David B. Reath, M.D. Plastic Surgery
109 Northshore Drive, Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 37919
phone: 865.450.9253 • fax: 865.450.9949
toll-free: 866.reath.01 (866.732.8401)
www.plasticsurgeryknoxville.com
This publication provides general educational information about preparing
for and recovering from plastic surgery. It is not intended to give specific
medical advice to any patient. David B. Reath, MD PLLC is not responsible,
and expressly disclaims,all liability for damages of any kind arising out of
your use, reference to, or reliance on, the contents of this publication.
If you need medical assistance please seek the help of your doctor.
©2013 David B. Reath, MD, PLLC
We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading our Plastic Surgery Planner, and that it’s
been helpful in your recovery from surgery. Please feel free to forward it to
anyone you know having plastic surgery.
We welcome your suggestions! Shoot us an email at Lisa@dbreath.com.
Please let us know what you liked and if you have any other suggestions that
would be helpful for future patients to know.
40

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